Southern California -- this just in

3 arrested, 2 sought in slaying at Hollywood party

May 11, 2011 | 4:10
pm

Los Angeles Police Department detectives in Hollywood, working closely with the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department and county probation gang experts, have tied five people to a deadly confrontation April 17 that claimed the life of Lorenzo Smith when gunfire broke out.

One of the men has been charged in the killing and another man and woman face accessory-to-murder charges.

The party in the 1600 block of North La Brea Avenue turned to mayhem as known gang members began to argue and confront Smith, drew their weapons and unleashed several rounds.

They killed Smith and wounded another man, according to investigators.

Detectives tied the killing to gang members in Compton and Long Beach and last week served 11 search warrants and conducted 14 parole and probation compliance checks on homes.

Those searches led to eight arrests and recovery of physical evidence connecting some suspects to Smith’s killing.

Glen Wagner, 26, of Compton was arrested and charged with murder and personal use of a firearm, said LAPD Dets. Brett Godkin and Chris Gable.

Miguel Estrada, 21, of Compton was charged with being an accessory to murder.

Brittnay Jackson, 23, of Compton, also was charged with being an accessory to murder and personal use of a firearm.

All three face an enhancement that the crime was for the furtherance of a gang.

Detectives also were looking for two more suspects, identified as Paul "Smiley" Benoit and Kevin "Killa" White.

Anyone with information regarding their whereabouts is asked to call Gable or Goodkin at (213) 972-2912.